Trump Hints at India Cutting Russian Oil Imports as US Imposes Tariffs

In a recent development, US President Donald Trump hinted at the possibility of India ceasing its oil imports from Russia, an action he described as a "good step" if confirmed. India, however, has maintained that its energy policies are driven by national interests and market dynamics.

During an interaction with press agency ANI, Trump responded to questions about potential penalties on India and communication with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating, "I understand that India is no longer going to be buying oil from Russia. That's what I heard, I don't know if that's right or not. That is a good step. We will see what happens."

Parallel to Trump's comments, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reaffirmed India's independent approach to energy procurement. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal indicated that while some media reports suggest Indian companies have halted Russian oil imports, specifics remain unconfirmed.

The situation comes amid ongoing tensions arising from the Ukraine conflict, with the US criticizing India's continued oil imports from Russia. Despite this, New Delhi expressed optimism about its relationship with Washington, emphasizing a commitment to shared agendas.

On the trade front, Trump has announced new tariffs, imposing a 25% levy on Indian goods. This action coincides with hopes for an interim trade agreement that could have mitigated such tariffs. During discussions with ANI, Trump highlighted India's historically high tariffs on US products while affirming continued trade negotiations with New Delhi.

Trump insisted that India had been one of the leading nations in imposing high tariffs, citing rates reaching 175%. As negotiations proceed, he underscored the significance of US-India ties and acknowledged his friendship with Prime Minister Modi, while noting concerns over the ongoing trade imbalance between the countries.

In reaction to these international developments, the Indian government informed its Parliament about the US-imposed reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods. Authorities are currently evaluating the impact and planning measures to safeguard national interests.

(With inputs from agencies.)